Dusty Haigh Explained

Dusty Haigh
Nationality:British (English)
Birth Date:Q1 1906
Birth Place:Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Death Date:15 May 1936 (aged 30)
Death Place:Hackney, London
Career1:Halifax Dukes
Years1:1929
Career2:Belle Vue Aces
Years2:1930, 1932
Career3:Sheffield Tigers
Years3:1931, 1933
Career4:Lea Bridge
Years4:1934
Career5:Walthamstow Wolves
Years5:1934
Career6:Hackney Wick Wolves
Years6:1935-1936
Teamyear1:1930
Teamhonour1:Northern League

Herbert Haigh known as Dusty Haigh (Q1 1906 – 15 May 1936) was an international motorcycle speedway rider, who rode in the earliest days of the sport in Britain.[1] [2]

Speedway career

Haigh started riding in 1928 at Halifax before moving to Sheffield and Belle Vue Aces in 1930, where he won the 1930 Speedway Northern League.[3] He finished fourth in the league averages during the 1931 Speedway Northern League season for Sheffield. In 1935, he moved from Lea Bridge to Walthamstow Wolves and made his test debut for the England national speedway team against Australia.[4] He went on to earn 15 international caps for England.[2]

During the 1936 Auto-Cycle Union Cup Haigh was killed instantly after suffering a fractured skull riding at Hackney Wick Stadium on 15 May 1936, in the ACU Cup match between Hackney and West Ham. He fell when in front and heading for a fourth consecutive heat win and the riders behind were unable to avoid him.[5] [6] The crash was reported in most national newspapers as they focused on the fact that it had been witnessed by his wife Irene.[7]

Personal life

Haigh and his wife Irene started a millinery business in 1932 but it went bankrupt in 1934.[8]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PRE WAR HACKNEY HERBERT 'DUSTY' HAIGH. Hackney Speedway. 22 August 2021.
  2. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 28 July 2023.
  3. Web site: BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - PRE-WAR ERA (1929-1939). Official British Speedway website. 22 August 2021.
  4. Web site: Year by Year. Speedway Researcher. 22 August 2021.
  5. Web site: PRE WAR HACKNEY HERBERT 'DUSTY' HAIGH. Hackney Speedway. 6 August 2021.
  6. Web site: 1936 ACU Cup. Speedway Researcher. 6 August 2021.
  7. News: 20,000 see Speedway Gladiator Killed. Daily Mirror . 16 May 1936 . 22 August 2021 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  8. News: Millinery and Motor Racing. Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer . 10 May 1934 . 22 August 2021 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .